Venetian blind bracket



April 1942. H. H. NELSON 2,281,043

VENE'IIAN BLIND BRACKET Filed March 29, 1940 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 )55flargyjvigz'zw M, +211 ATTORNEYS April 1942- H. H. NELSON 2,281,043

VENETIAN BLIND BRACKET Filed March 29, 1940 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 S 42 40 2641 INVENTOR fi aivjyfi. filed/022 v BY fii ATTORNEY the suspension barand valance.

Patented Apr. 28, 1942 VENETIAN BLIND BRACKET HarryH.Nelson, New York,N. Y., assignor, by mesne assignments, to Lorentzen Hardware Mfg. Com,New York New York N. Y., a corporation of Application March 29, 1940,Serial No. 326,573

16 Claims.

Ordinarily, a Venetian blind is detachably suspended from a head-barthat is ailiired adjacent to the top of a window frame. In someinstances this head-bar, or suspension bar, is

omitted and the blind suspended directly from the window frame. This hasresulted in the upper slat of the blind (the tilt slat, or "tilt-bar)being sometimes designated as the head-bar," with correspondingconfusion of terms. In this specification the term head-bar will beemployed to designate the suspension bar that is located above thetilt-bar of the blind.

In many instances the head-bar is mounted on brackets, one placed oneither side of the window frame. Associated with the head-bar ismechanism for tilting the blind and adjusting its height; and frequentlythis mechanism is concealed by a valance, often in the form of a board.

A general object of the present invention is to provide an inexpensive,mechanically adequate bracket for mounting a Venetian blind head-bar Anadditional object is to provide a bracket which supports a curtain rod,in addition to supporting a head-bar and a valance.

Various detailed and specific objects will be apparent from theaccompanying disclosure.

The drawings show two species of left-hand brackets embodying thepresent invention, i. e.,

brackets for supporting the left-hand ends of the head-bar and valanceas viewed from the room side of the window. It will be understood that'aright-hand bracket is also used with each Venetian blind to support theright-hand end of However, only the left-hand bracket has beenspecifically disclosed since it will be understood that the right handbracket is of the same construction but of opposite hand.

Fig. 1 of the drawings is an isometric view of a bracket embodying thepresent invention, showing the valance holder or carrier in partiallyopen position.

Fig. 2 is a side elevation of the same bracket with the valance carrierclosed, and showing in section a head-bar and valance supported by thebracket.

Fig. 3 is a top plan view of the bracket as shown in Fig. 2 but withoutthe valance and head-bar.

Fig. 4 is a side elevation of the same bracket with the valance holderor carrier in open position, and showing in section a head-bar andvalance in partially inserted position.

Fig. 5 is an enlarged isometric view of the keeper shown in thepreceding figures for holding the head-bar in position on the bracket.

Fig. 6 is a, fragmentary vertical section illustrating the manner ofassembling the keeper with the bracket.

Fig. 7 is an isometric view of a modified form of bracket and keeperembodying the present invention, the view showing thevalance holder orcarrier in partially open position.

Fig. 8 is a side elevation of the bracket shown in Fig. 7, with thevalance carrier closed, and the view showing in section a head-bar,valance, and curtain rod supported by the bracket.

Fig. 9 is a fragmentary side elevation of the structure shown in Fig. 7,and showing the keeper in its uppermost position.

Fig. 10 is a fragmentary horizontal section on line Ill-l ll of Fig. 8.

Reference will first be had to Figs. 1 through 6.

A flat stamped sheet-metal plate I I is provided at its rear edge withan integral vertical flange I2 which projects laterally at right anglesto the plate. Pivoted at H to the lower forward corner portion of plateH is a valance holder or carrier designated as a whole by I 5. Ahead-bar support desi nated as a whole by [6 has vertical leg portions.l1 and 18 which are welded or otherwise suitably secured to plate II,and also has a horizontal shelf portion IS on which theend of thehead-bar rests. Vertically slideable with relation to support I6 is aU-shaped head-bar keeper designated as a whole by 20.

For so-called inside mounting of a Venetian blind, plate ll is placedagainst the inner or side face of the window jamb, i. e., the face ofthe jamb which is perpendicular to the plane of the window. Holes suchas 2| (3 shown) are provided to receive screws for mounting the bracketof a window frame, which front face is parallel to the plane of thewindow. It will be noted that the flange l2 terminates some distanceabove the bottom of plate I I, and this provides such clearance that theblind can be fully raised without the blind slats striking onthe bottomof flange l2. In this connection, flange I2 is so stamped that its rearface is flush with the rear edge Ila of the plate II. bracket ispositioned against the front of the window frame and secured by screwsinserted through holes 22 (3 shown) the edge Ila, bears against the faceof the frame'and assists in supporting and positioning thebracket. a

The valance holder or carrier I5 is preferabl stamped from a singlepiece of sheet-metal and includes a front flange 24 and a rear flange 25between which the valance 28 is inserted, as shown in Fig. 2. Thevalance carrier is also provided with a bottom flange 21 against whichthe bottom of the valance rests. An ear 28 is provided to make a pivotalconnection at H, and a rearwardly extending flange 29 is provided tomove into overlapping relation with the plate II when the carrier isswung into closed position. To guide flange 29 into overlapping relationwith plate I i it has a lower laterally bent corner 29a. Both flanges 29and ear 28 are laterally offset slightly with respect to the metal inportion 39 of the carrier, as is shown in both Thus, when the Figs. v1and 3. This offset at the root of flange t 29 provides a stop whichstrikes the forward edge Ilb of plate H and limits the closing movementof the'valance carrier IS. The offset at the root of ear 28 alsoprovides a stop which becomes eifective when the valance carrier I5 isswung into open position, as shown in Fig. 4. In this position the stopat the root of car 28 strikes the lower edge Ii c of plate ll, therebypreventing the valance carrier I5 from moving into a position ofsubstantially downward inclination. Thus a valance being positioned in,or held in, the carrier 15 will not accidentally fall out when thecarrier i5 is open.

With the valance carrier [5 open, a valance can be inserted edgewise, asshown in Fig. 4. Back flange 25 is provided with a flared top 250 tofacilitate insertion of the valance. Also the flange 25 is springy andyielding, and when unstressed, inclines toward front flange 24, as isbest seen in Fig. 3. Thus the flange 25 is forced backwardly by thevalance as it is inserted; and this arrangement of flange 25 providesfor proper reception of the valance despite a degree of variation in itsthickness, as well as providing for tight holding of the valance tosecure it against rattling by the wind.

When the valance carrier I5 is swung into closed position shown in Figs.2 and 3, the flange 29 moves beneath a projecting member 3| which may beformed integral with leg I! of the headbar support I6. Thus in theclosed position of the valance carrier it is laterally supported byvirtue of the flange 29 lying between plate I i and member 3|. Flange 29is formed with a projecting vertical ridge 29a which snaps beneath acomplementary formation at 3la to latch the valance carrier in closedposition. The mem-- ber 3| is sufficiently large and sufflcientlyspringy to securely hold the carrier [5 in closed position, but ofcourse, the carrier can be opened by the application of sufllcientopening force.

It will be noted that the height of flange 29 and latch ridge 29a farexceeds the height of latch member 9|. 7 parts to be used for bracketsintended for different heights or thicknesses of head-bars. Despiteconsiderable variation in the level at which head-bar support I8 iswelded to plate ll, latch member 9| will nevertheless properly cooperatewith latchingflange 29.

A vertical guldeway for keeper 29 is provided by the opposing edges oflegs I1 and I8 of head-bar support l9, together with a rectangularcut-out in shelf l9, as is seen in Figs. 1 and 6. The keeper 29 is ofgenerally U-shape form. having a vertical portion 29a, a head 29b and afoot 29c. A pressed-out longitudinal rib 29d stiifens the keeper, and apressed-out bulge 29e is adapted to strike the top of shelf l9 and limitdownward movement of the keeper. A barb 29! is adapted to strike theunder surface of shelf l9 to limit upward movement of the keeper andprevent its accidental removal.

The keeper 29 can be assembled with the bracket, as shown in Fig. 6,being first placed with portion 29a in a horizontal position and withfoot 29c projecting downwardly through the slot in shelf is. This isshown in dotted lines in Fig. 6. .Then the keeper 29 is swung upwardly,as indicated by the arrows in Fig. 6 to bring the portion 29a intovertical position in the guideway. By forcibly depressing the keeper,the barb 29f yields and passes to a position beneath the shelf afterwhich the springiness of the barb restores it sufliciently to preventaccidental removal of the keeper.

With the'valance carrier in open position as shown in Fig. 4, a valance29 is-pushed in place by movement in the direction of the arrow attachedto valance 29 in Fig. 4. Similarly a headbar 85 is moved into place onshelf "5 by movement in the direction of the arrow attached to head-bar35 in Fig. 4. While positioning the head-bar on the shelf, keeper 29 isheld in an elevated position, as shown in Fig. 4. When the head-bar hasbeen completely inserted, the keeper drops or is pulled down, so thatits head 29b enters the head-bar groove or cut-out 3541 as shown in Fig.2. Thus the head-bar is held against accidental removal. If desired, thekeeper 29 may be dispensed. with and the head-bar held in place byscrews inserted through holes 36 (2 shown).

The construction shown in Figs. 7 to 10 is so similar to the one alreadydescribed that only the differences need be pointed out. This will bedone with the aid of reference characters which, so far as applicable,are the same as or similar to those already used.

Welded or otherwise suitably secured to plate I I is a curtain rodsupport designated as a whole by 49. This support is substantiallyZ-shaped, having a flange 49a which is welded or otherwise secured toplate II, and having a grooved vertical flange 49b which is spacedlaterally from plate II. The groove 49c of flange 49b is adapted tosupport one end of a. curtain rod 4|,

as seen in Figs. 8 and 10. Projecting rearwardly This permits the samestandardized.

out spring l4 and ll and also has a struckout protuberance". l j p p 3The keeper 2. is movable ina vertical guideway similar to the onepreviously described, and which is formed in conjunction with head-barsupport it. i In this instance thehead-bar support ll hasdownwardlyprojecting legs ii and ll which are welded to plate Ii. .The keeper 2|is assembled in its guidewayin'amanner similar to that shown in Fig. 6,except that it is insertedi'i'om beneathshelf Ii, ofthe head-bar supportII, the head of the keeper being inserted first and the keeper beingswung downwardly and then pushed upwardly into its guideway. When thekeeper is pushed upwardly in its guideway spring finger 44 yields andthen springs out again after the finger haspassedabove the shelf ll.Thereafter finger 44 limits downward movement of keeper 20' and preventsits accidental removal. Upward movement of the keeper is limited byprotuberance 46. .When the keeper II is in its uppermost position shownin Fig. 9 spring finger 45 makes frictional engagement with the edge ofthe cut-out in shelf is, thereby preventing the keeper from fallingunder the action of gravity. This is quite an advantage, as it holds thekeeper out of the way during the insertion of the head-bar 35. As thehead-bar is mounted on two brackets which may be widely spaced, it isawkward and inconvenient for an installer to manually hold the twokeepers in uppermost position while the head-bar is being inserted.

In compliance with the patent statutes I have disclosed the best formsin which I have contemplated applying my invention but it will beunderstood that the forms disclosed are illustrative of the inventionwithout limiting the scope or the invention.

WhatIclaimis: V

1. A Venetian blind bracket comprising: a vertical plate, and alaterally projecting flange at the rear of the plate for mounting thebracket on the forward face of a window frame, the vertical plateprojecting beneath the bottom of the flange and having the rear edge ofthe projecting portion positioned flush with the rear surface of theflange.

2. A Venetian blind bracket compnsmg: a body member and a head-barsupport having a guidway formed in connection therewith, a keepervertically slideable in the guideway, and a pair of spring fingers, onehigher than the other, attached to the keeper and adapted to engage thehead-bar support, the keeper being insert able into the completedguideway and one spring linger acting to prevent accidental removal ofthe keeper from th guideway and the other spring finger acting to holdthe keeper in posi-' tical plate to be affixed adjacent to a windowframe, and a valance carrier pivoted adjacent to the lowerforward cornerof the plate and swingable into open and closed position; theimprovement which comprises: the valance carrier having a face which isflush with the outer surface of the vertical plate, having I. portionwhich abuts against the. forward ,edge of the vertical platewhen thevalance carrier is in closed position, and also having tworearwardlvextendinz vertically spaced portions which are laterallyoffset withrespect to said abutting portion and each of which makesside-to-side engagement with the inner face of said vertical plate, oneof said offset portions being at the lower forward corner of thevertical plate and the pivotal attachment between the carrier andtheplate being to such offset portion.'

5. In a Venetian blind bracket having a vertical plate to be afllxedadjacent to a window frame, and a valance carrier pivoted to the plateand swingable into open and closed position; the improvement whichcomprises: the valance carrier having a face which is flush with theouter surface of the vertical plate, having a portion which abutsagainst the forward edge of thevertical plate when the valance carrieris in closed position. and also having two rearwardly extendingvertically spaced portionswhich are laterally offset with respect tosaid abutting portion and each of which, makes side-to-slde engagementwith the inner face of said vertical plate, the pivotal attachmentbetween the carrier and the plate being to one of said offset portions.

6. In a Venetian blind bracket having a vertical plate to be afllxedadjacent to a window frame, and a valance carrier pivoted adjacent tothe lower forward corner of the plate and swingable into open and closedposition; the improvement which comprises: the valance carrier having aportion which abuts against the forward edge. of the vertical plate whenthe valance carrier is in closed position and which abuts against thelower edge of the vertical plate when the valance carrier is in openposition to thereby limit the downward swing of the valance carrier, andthe valance carrier also having a rearwardly extending portion which islaterally off-. set with respect to said abutting portion, the pivotalattachment between the carrier and the plate being to such offsetportion.

7. In a Venetian blind bracket having a vertical plate to be afiixedadjacent to a window frame, and a valance carrier pivoted adjacent tothe lower forward corner of the plate and swingable into open and closedposition; the improvement which comprises: the valance carrier having aportion which abuts against the forward edge of the vertical platewhenthe valance carrier is in closed opsition and which abuts against thelower edge of the vertical plate when the valance carrier is in openposition to thereby limit the downward swing of the valance carrier, thevalance carrier having alower-positinned rearwardly extending portionwhich is laterally oilset with respect to said abutting portion, thepivotal attachment between the carrier andthe Plate being to such offsetportion, and the valance carrier also having an upper-positionedrearwardly extending portion which is laterally offset with respect tosaid. abutting portion and which has a lower bent-away corner to guideit into side-by-side engagement with the inner face of the verticalplate.

8. In aVenetian blind bracket having a vertical plate to be affixedadjacent to a window frame, and a valance carrier pivoted adjacent tothe lower forward corner of the plate and sw able into open and closedposition; the improvement which comprises: the valance carrier having aface which is flush with the outer surface of the vertical plate, havinga portion which abuts against the forward edge of the vertical platewhen the valance carrier is in closed position, and also having anupper-positioned rearwardly extending portion which is laterally offsetwith respect to said abutting portion and which moves alongside theinner face of the vertical plate as the valance carrier is closed.

9. In a Venetian blind bracket having a vertical plate to be affixedadjacent to a window frame, and a valance carrier pivoted adjacent tothe 'lowerforward corner of the plate and swingable into open and closedposition; the improvement which comprises: the valance carrier having aface which is flush with the outer surface of the vertical plate, havinga portion which abuts against the forward edge of the vertical platewhen the valance carrier is in closed position, and also having anupper-positioned rearwardly extending portion which is laterally offsetwithrespect to said abutting portion and which moves alongside the innerface of the vertical plate as the valance carrier is closed, the

, lower corner of said oifset portion being bent away to guide italongside the inner face 01' the vertical plate.

10. In a Venetian blind bracket having a vertical plate to be afllxedadjacent to awindow frame, and a valance carrier pivoted'adjaeent to thelower forward corner of the plate and swingable into open and closedposition; the improvement which comprises: the valance carrier havins aface which is flush with the outer surface of the vertical plate, havinga portion which abuts against the forward edge of the vertical platewhen the valance carrier is in closed position, and also having anupper-positioned rearwardly extending portion which is laterally offsetwith respect to said abutting portion and which moves alongside theinner face of the vertical plate as the valance carrier is closed, thevertical plate being provided with means spaced laterally from its innersurface and with which said oifset means makes side-by-side engagementwhen the valance carrier is closed. 11. In a Venetian blind brackethaving a vertical plate to be afllxed adjacent to a window frame,head-bar supporting means projecting from one side of the plate, and avalance carrier pivoted adjacent to the lower forward corner of 'saidplate and swingable into open and closed position; the improvement whichcomprises: the head-bar supporting means being provided with a forwardlyprojecting member which is laterally spaced from the inner face of thevertical plate, and the valance carrier being provided with; means lyingbetween said forwardly projecting member and the inner face of thevertical plate when the valance carrier is closed.

12. In a Venetian blind bracket having a vertical plate to be affixedadjacent to a window frame, head-bar supporting means projecting fromone side of the plate, and a valance carrier pivoted adjacent to thelower forward corner of said plate and swingable into open and closedposition; the improvement which comprises: the

head-bar supporting means being provided with a forwardly projectingmember which is laterally spaced from the inner face of the verticalplate, and the valance carrier being provided with a flange lyingbetween said forwardly projecting member andthe inner face of thevertical plate when the valance carrier is closed, said flange andforwardly projecting member being formed as cooperating latch membersacting to latch the valance carrier in closed position.

13. A Venetian blind bracket comprising: a vertical plate to be afllxedadjacent to a window frame; head-bar supporting means projecting? fromone side of the plate; and a valance carrier pivoted adjacent to thelower forward corner of said plate and swingable into open and closedposition, the carrier extending vertically along the front edge of theplate when in closed position, extending forwardly from the bottom ofthe plate when in open position, and carrying the valance fixedlyattached to it as it swings from open to closed position and vice versa,the valance carrier also being provided with a latch formationcooperable with latching means positioned at different vertical levelson the vertical plate.

'14. A' Venetian blind bracket comprising: a vertical plate to beafllxed adjacent to a window frame; head-bar supporting means projectingfrom one side of the plate; and a valance carrier pivoted adjacent tothe lower forward corner of said plate and swingable into open andclosed position, the carrier extending vertically along the front edgeof the plate when in closed position, extending forwardly from thebottom of the plate when in open position, and carrying the valancefixedly attached to it as it swings from open to closed position andvice versa; the vertical plate being provided with a curtain rodsupport, andthe valance carrier being provided with means which, whenthe carrier is closed, holds the curtain rod against removal.

15. A Venetian blind bracket comprising: a vertical plate to be afllxedadjacent to a window frame; a head-bar supporting shelf attached to theplate and projecting laterally from one-side of the plate; a valancecarrier pivoted adjacent to the lower forward comer of said plate andswingable into open and closed position, the carrier extendingvertically along the front ed e of the plate whenin closed position,extending forwardly from the bottom of the plate when in open position,and carrying the valance fixedly attached to it as it swings from opento closed position and vice versa; a latch formation formed integrallywith the shelf and located at approximately the same level as the shelf;and a cooperating latch formation projecting from an upper part of thevalance carrier; the two latch formations beingcooperable to latch thecarrier in closed position.

16. A Venetian blind bracket comprising: a vertical plate to be aillxedadjacent to a window frame; head-bar supporting means projectin from oneside of the plate; and a valance carrier pivoted adjacent to the lowerforward corner of said plate and swingable into open and closedposition, the carrier extending vertically along the front edge of theplate when in closed position, and extending forwardly from the bottomof the plate when in open position, and the valance carrier beingprovided with two laterally projecting members to receive the valancebetween them, one of the members being yielding whereby the memberstightly gripan inserted valance even with a degree of variation in thethickness of the valance.

mam: H. Nat-son.

